Building
healthy associations in the 21st century will be the focus
of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational
Directors of Missions' 43rd annual meeting June 13-14, at
the Radisson City Centre, Indianapolis.

"Together
... To Pray ... To Care ... To Share!" will
be the theme of the conference, which opens with a 10:30 a.m.
worship service Sunday, June 13.

"I believe
these three aspects of associational ministry are foundational
to a healthy association," said Jim Freedman, president
of the SBCADOM and executive director of the Nashville Baptist
Association in Tennessee. "Our responsibility as DOMs
is to lead the churches of our association to pray for people,
care for people and share Jesus with people."

The president's
address is slated for the first Sunday afternoon session.

Gary Vidito, minister
of music at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville, Ky., will
deliver the after-dinner entertainment Sunday evening.

Also
featured during the two-day conference will be Jerry
Rankin, president of the International Mission
Board, O.S. Hawkins, president of the Annuity Board, James
T. Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources, and
Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the North American Mission
Board.

Thom Rainer, dean
of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church
Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville,
Ky., will speak about healthy associations sharing Jesus with
people during the final session.

The
conference's meetings will be at the Radisson City
Centre in Indianapolis.

"This year's
program is being designed to present every DOM in attendance
with a satchel full of ideas which he can implement under
God's direction back home in his association," Freedman
said.

In
addition to the DOM conference, wives of the directors
will meet from 2-5 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday with the
theme "The Sisterhood that is SBCADOM Wives." The
meetings will be hosted by Freedman’s wife, Sandy.

In addition to
Jim Freedman, current SBCADOM officers are Nodell Dennis,
executive director of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association
in Missouri, first vice president; Eddie Miller, executive
director of the Sierra Baptist Association in Nevada, second
vice president; Ernest Sadler, former executive director of
the Jackson County Baptist Association in Pascagoula, Miss.,
recording secretary; John Brackin, executive director of the
Palm Lake Baptist Association in West Palm Beach, Fla., editor
of "The DOM Viewpoint"; and Jim Leak, director of
missions of the Hill Country Baptist Association in Kerrville,
Texas, administrator treasurer.